A tailor-made job at Odhams (From Watford Observer)

A tailor-made job at Odhams

11:22am Friday 5th March 2010 in

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In a letter from Watford resident Ernie Mackenzie, he recalls his working life at Odhams.

Mr Mackenzie, of Gammons Lane, wrote: “You ask for people’s memories of what it was like working for Odhams Ltd of Watford.

“My father and myself both worked for Odhams for many years.

“My father worked in the warehouse and I worked in the press room, and the process department.

“My father commenced employment with Odhams before World War Two. On the outbreak of war in 1939, he was like many of his colleagues called up for service in the Royal Artillery. During this service in the war, he broke his spine and then spent three years in hospital. On coming out of hospital, he was told he would never be able to work again.

“During his recovery time back home with my mother and my sister and myself, Odhams got in touch with him and told him that they had created him a job, specially for him, and asked him to give it a try. He found he could not manage the full shift, so Odhams agreed to let him just work for half days.

“So that’s what he did until he retired age 65 in 1974. So that’s my example of what a wonderful company Odhams were. I don’t think companies would actually create a job for a person today, especially a person with a disability.

“I personally have fond memories of Odhams, and many of my old friends and comrades who I worked with until the closure in 1983.

“Odhams, and some lovely characters who worked there, will always remain in my fondest memories.

“In September 1983, I commenced employment with Sun Printers, but that’s another story of a smashing company I worked at for many years.”